ThinkNW also welcomes new Seattle board member and launches key diversity and inclusion initiatives

How is a website more than just a website? ThinkNW believes it has the answer and has plenty of reasons to get excited about its new platform, launching today at thinknw.org.

Designed and developed by Portland-based Serenity Studios, the new thinknw.org is a powerful digital gathering place for Pacific Northwest advertising, marketing, creative and media professionals—and up-and-coming talent.

Underneath the simple, clean design is a powerful engine where members can more easily manage their memberships, find content and post open roles. A key feature is the site’s built-in social community platform. Members can create public or private groups on any topic and interact with other professionals.

“It’s safe to say the ‘game-changer’ is a wildly overused term, but we’re going to go with it,” says Doug Zanger, ThinkNW president and executive director, “This new platform reflects our hybrid world. In addition to in-person events and experiences, we can more effectively curate live content and learning. Plus, the community function is unlike anything I’ve seen in these types of organizations before.”

In addition to the new site, ThinkNW welcomed Seattle creative executive Anthony Reeves to its board. Most recently president and global partner at EssenceMediacom, where he oversaw Airbnb’s worldwide growth and expansion, Reeves worked globally in creative and strategic roles at FCB, JWT, Ogilvy, Publicis Moxie, Y&R and Wunderman Thompson. He was also global director of creative at Amazon, scaling business across markets.

Reeves’s awards cabinet includes several from Cannes Lions, Effies, One Show and a special DEI honor at the 2014 3% Movement Conference.

“Anthony is the rare leader who has crossed over into many industry disciplines and demonstrated great success at each stop,” says Billups brand marketing director and ThinkNW board executive team member Simone Davis. “As a northwest local and incoming ThinkNW board member, I have no doubt he will positively impact our industry growth and connectivity throughout the PNW and beyond.”

Partners and new talent making an impact

ThinkNW also introduced its Industry Impact Partners (IIP) program, partnering with organizations dedicated to inclusively supporting talent and growth in diverse communities.

IIPs are based both within and outside the Pacific Northwest, and:

●  Collaborate on industry-critical storytelling, including live streams, events, webinars, research, op-eds and other content

●  Work with our board and advisors to find relevant and impactful opportunities for mutual benefit

●  Network IIPs to the ThinkNW community and the greater Pacific Northwest industry

●  Raise the visibility of all IIPs, including an annual Day of Giving in November to raise awareness and funds

Launch partners include:

● Creative Ladder

Founded by Dionna Dorsey, David Griner and Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds, Creative Ladder connects, inspires and elevates an inclusive new generation of creative industry leaders.

● Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council

Founded in 1978, the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council (Northwest Mountain MSDC) is a nonprofit organization certifying, developing, and connecting Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with major corporations and public agencies.

● The AList

TheAList is an exclusive ecosystem of BIPOC C-Suite and senior executives from global brands across all industries collaborating to build social capital and influence a more inclusive world.

● 600 & Rising
600 & Rising was formed at the intersection of civil rights across the US and the Black talent crisis facing talent throughout marketing and communications. They address transparency, policy, and advocacy opportunities throughout the industry so that the change leaders committed to in 2020 will be fully realized.

“By widening the aperture, we can continually partner with people and organizations doing meaningful work around inclusion anywhere in the world,” says Zanger. “The IIP program gives the rest of the world a front-row seat to Pacific Northwest talent and companies. We hope to have 10 partners by the end of 2023, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome our four launch partners.”

Finally, ThinkNW announced the creation of the ThinkNW NEXT Board, building the next generation of advertising, marketing and creativity in the Pacific Northwest. The board works independently and collaboratively with the ThinkNW board and consists of eight members:

●  Three professional members from the Greater Seattle-Tacoma area

●  Two professional members from the Portland metro area

●  One professional member from the greater Pacific Northwest (i.e., Boise,

Spokane, Bend, Vancouver, B.C.)

●  Two students from the Pacific Northwest

“Growing ThinkNW starts with the voices of young and new talent,” says Marc Moran, Portland State University professor and ThinkNW vice president. “The next generation deserves an organization that serves their futures and is driven by their needs.”

Eligible ThinkNW NEXT Board members are current students, recent graduates or have up to four years of experience in the industry. This program is peer-nominated, and candidate names can be sent to [email protected].